Sunday, June 23, 2019

life in the Heights

Anywhere else, our neighborhood name would seem fancy: Sherman Heights. Our little corner of county was platted in the 1880s, right before Washington became a state. As far as I know, the original structures are long gone. Some older cabins cling to the cliffs and creek. Manufactured and mobile homes fill most of the tiny lots. The newest houses are right beneath our property, with the foundation being dug this week for one. One neighbor filled us in on his accounts of the neighborhood history before the condos were built, at least. This neighborhood has more legend than history, though, so it's tricky to know what actually happened in this sliver of hillside that has been traded from Port Orchard to Bremerton and now back to the county.

I love living in these types of in-between communities. The view is so unique, with trees allowing peek-a-boo glimpses of the Sound. The constant hum of the highway below reminds us that our community is always in transition. Everyone is going somewhere else. In a way, that reminder makes it seem even sweeter to rest. There's a sacred call to be.

Most of the must-do indoor projects are finished or nearly finished. My gardener heart is ready to grade the yard, to add good soil, to plant a few trees that will tell everyone around us that it's good to stay. I continue to be challenged by Jesus' upper room directive to his best friends: Abide in me. Our house in the heights is really just wood and windows, with some wire and insulation. We're trying to transform it into a place where people can encounter and abide in Jesus (ourselves included).
“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 2 He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes everybranch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. 3 You areclean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannotbear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can youunless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. "
-John 15:1-5 NET Bible

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Ephesians 5

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!

Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you!”

Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

hey guys